By Christine Cudis/PNA
MANILA — The National Youth Commission (NYC) has called on Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders to spread nationalism and resist supporting rebel groups.
In an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel on Wednesday, NYC Chairman Ronald Gian Cardema said while the government works on bringing down the 50-year old Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), the youth agency should also be doing something in its own capacity.
“Under the Department of the Interior and Local Government, we are mandated to do our part. We are ordering the 400,000 SK Officials to lead in strengthening the government being the frontliners of the spread of nationalism,” he said.
Cardema also reminded young government leaders to keep their stance against those allied with the CPP-NPA and call to support government troops instead.
For his part, National Convenor of the Youth Act Now Against Tyranny, Raoul Manuel, a group critical of the administration, who guested with the NYC chief during the interview, said Cardema’s orders are a threat against progressive organizations.
“These pronouncements are very dangerous in the sense that any particular group that goes to the streets that advocates for social change, campaigning for different youth and people’s issues can be considered as allies of CPP-NPA,” Manuel said.
However, the NYC chair clarified that they only wish for the youth to not support the armed rebellion since the Armed Forces of the Philippines appreciates their understanding and assistance.
“I am saying that, if you have the means to rally against the government troops, wala naman naririnig ang society na nag-rally kayo against the rebel groups (why is it that we do not hear about you rallying against the rebel groups),” Cardema said.
Manuel, in his defense, said “the NYC seems to equate being critical and promoting change to our country as being a terrorist”.
The National Youth Commission, also known as the NYC, is a government agency in the Philippines that specifically addresses issues surrounding the Filipino youth.
